Two area residents prepared to serve their country

The Petoskey youth is packing his bags at Fort Hood in Texas, in preparation for the big move.

"I figured it was going to come sooner or later," Frederick said. "It was the first week that I got here that they told us we were going to be deployed. I think I was in shock."

But the Army delayed deployment a number of times, leaving PFC Frederick at Fort Hood for a year.

"At the time, I didn't feel ready at all," he said. "I knew there was a lot of work still to be done. I didn't know my comrades or anything."

Military police - at home and away

The year delay gave Frederick time to learn more about his duties as a military policeman in the U.S. Army. He's been on patrol and has participated in missions and scenarios. Once, he worked in a presidential mission when President George W. Bush visited his home state.

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"It was exciting, in a way," Frederick said. "You have to take it very seriously. There were, like, 100 military police, plus the secret service and anyone else who came with Bush. It was more security than I think he knows he has."

Military police also do personal security for VIPs and convoy escorts - "Which is when there is a big line of vehicles, and we drive in our humvees with them with our weapons up, ready to fire at whatever attacks the convoy," Frederick said.

They do raids on buildings and riot control. And they run correctional facilities, like prisoner of war camps and prisons.

Packing his bags

Most of all, Frederick has been spending the past year trying to not think about Iraq in an emotional way.

"You have a job to do, and you're just going to do it," he said. "I don't know what to expect. Most of what you hear are rumors. But I am just going to do my job."

That job, he said, is classified.

He takes comfort in knowing he's with one of the most historical divisions of the U.S. Army - the 1st Cavalry. Some platoons have already started their missions in Baghdad. Frederick's platoon will meet up with them in early March.

"I just tell myself I'm not going alone," he said. "I'm going with my friends who I've gotten to know really well. We care about each other. When you get in those moments when you think you're by yourself, you have to remember your friends are right next to you, and you need each other to help each other out.

"That's the one thing I think about, when I start thinking about stuff."

Frederick is worried about his family.

"I know my mom is flipping out," he said. "But we'll be in contact by phone, and hopefully by e-mail. I won't know, really, until I'm there."

He is the son of Terry and Denise Frederick of Petoskey.

The Army - and his assignment in Iraq - has made him grow up quickly.

"I don't take things for granted, ever," he said. "I learned that the hard way."

He and his high school girlfriend didn't last through the distance.

"Being in the military and having a girlfriend or a wife is really hard," he said.

He recently began seeing a girl he really likes. He's not sure, though, how the relationship will progress while he's overseas.

"She's starting to realize that I don't have that much time left," he said.

On departure day, Frederick said he'll probably be in shock.

"It's going to be a wake up call, telling me this is actually happening," he said.

Rumors have it that most soldiers get sick upon arrival.

"There could be anything," he said. "We only sort of know what to expect."

Overall, the past few months have made Frederick get serious.

"Right now, this is making me actually go over to Iraq and do what military life is all about," he said. "War, combat, peacekeeping. We won't be just hanging out like we are here.

"I know everybody is afraid of the unknown factor. I try not to worry. I try to think positively."

Great expectations

Melessa Dicus got what she wanted.

The 27-year-old from Indian River left for boot camp in October 2003, and the experience was a mixture of challenges and rewards. It's what she expected from her first impression with the U.S. Marine Corp., and she's looking forward to more of those in her near future.

"We started every day around 4:30 a.m.," Dicus said, nearly two weeks after her graduation. "I got used to it quickly. We were in bed by 8:30 every night."

After the first two weeks of paperwork and formalities, the intense routines began. As a personal trainer before she enlisted, Dicus had worked hard to prepare her body for the challenge.

"Physical fitness was one of my strong points," she said. "The maximum score you could receive was 300, and I scored 296. I graduated in the top 10 percent in my series (two platoons of 50 women each)."

Only one physical challenge held her back - slightly.

"It was difficult to qualify at the pool," she said. "I did it, but I have never been a really strong swimmer and it showed. You have to wear everything - your boots, your jacket, your hiking pack. Your M-16 has to be slung. That was a big challenge for me."

But she was ready for the obstacles; for the intimidation that comes with boot camp.